What does it take to set your wedding to music? We explore the options.

The same way a musical score can make or break a film—think Star Wars, Titanic, Slumdog Millionaire—the music at your wedding can deepen the experience for both you and your guests. Yet choosing it often is an afterthought—something selected long after hundreds of dresses are tried on, photographers interviewed and debated, and sample meals eaten and discussed.

This is a mistake, say wedding industry experts, because music is a critical element to your ceremony and reception and should involve more than just handing your brother-in-law a playlist or an iPod. “You want someone who can inspire you, make you smile and help you have an amazing day,” says Mike Anderson, owner and sole DJ of Creative Memories Entertainment.

Here are some tips to finding just that.

Wedding Music 101
If you’re new to wedding music, get some guidance. Talk to a wedding-music professional or search some well-respected websites. That way, you’ll have a basic grasp of what you’ll need to select music for. Here is a primer to get you started.

Ceremony music generally includes prelude/seating music, which starts 15 to 20 minutes before the actual ceremony; processional music accompanies the entrance of the bridal party, usually with a separate song for the bride; and recessional music is what’s played as the ceremony ends and everyone leaves.

“The first and most important piece is the bride’s processional,” says Greg Williams, a local classical guitarist. “Then we tailor the rest around that. Because of the notes, the melodic content, the choice of one piece affects the choice of others.” Adds Williams, “We see very little ‘Here Comes the Bride, ’” but traditional pieces such as ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ by Bach or Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’ work well.”

Some professionals offer unique processional options. “The groom can have his own music, too, and it can be anything—like ‘Stairway to Heaven,’” says Pamela Pamperin, aka The Harp Lady, who performs a surprisingly wide range of genres. “I do a lot of contemporary, jazz, rock, even Latin style.”

Recessional music, played as the wedding wraps up and people head to the reception site or area, also can be fun—and should indicate that it’s time to party, whether it’s classical or contemporary, notes Williams. “I play a lot of Beatles and Led Zeppelin,” he says. It also can be witty. Take, for example, a longtime bachelor who arranged to have Beyonce’s “At Last” played as he kissed his bride and they headed up the aisle.

Reception music is broken down into segments: During the “cocktail hour,” guests mingle while the bridal party is being photographed after the ceremony; “dinner music” accompanies the meal; then there’s the post-meal “dancing” music, which includes the couple’s first dance, followed by “partying” music that can go on into the wee hours.
If you hire live musicians for your ceremony, such as a guitarist, harpist or string quartet, they often stay to perform for the first part of the reception, particularly if it’s at the same venue. “I often am asked to play some additional time—through the cocktail hour and through dinner,” says Pamperin. This can be a smart choice financially: Pamperin charges $350 for two hours (about the length of the setup and ceremony), then charges $100 an hour after that. After the musicians are through performing, a dance band or DJ can take over.

Many DJs can take care of both ceremony and reception music, although their fees are higher: You can expect to pay $1,400 to $3,000 for a DJ. Yet that’s still somewhat of a bargain compared to a live band. Popular local bands command $5,000 to $7,000 for reception-only appearances. “But it’s all a matter of priorities,” says Anderson of Creative Memories Entertainment. “I’ve had clients say to me, ‘We’re just more live-band people,’ and I understand that. On the other hand, I’ve also been hired to act as an emcee with a live band, and those parties really get rockin’. You’ve got the best of both worlds.”

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
“There’s lots of talent in the Sacramento area,” says Anderson, “but the good professionals book early.” In fact, whether it’s a soloist, trio, DJ or dance band, most need to be reserved six to 12 months before your event. And that’s not just because they’re popular; you need time to get to know each other and personalize your selections.

Show, Don’t Tell
Don’t just take their word for it. Before you hire a musician, DJ or band to perform at your wedding, be sure to experience their music firsthand. That’s no problem with musicians: They should have samples on their websites, CDs to loan you and gigs at area venues. (Williams plays every Thursday night at Tapa the World in midtown Sacramento, while Pamperin plays every Sunday on the patio at Slocum House in Fair Oaks during warm weather months.) Many musicians also will agree to a live audition when you meet with them.

Similarly, DJs should have video footage of what they do. “Not necessarily a demo video,” explains Anderson, “but some footage of the idea they’re talking to you about, with the [caveat] this was designed for this client.”

Finally, once you’ve chosen your music professional and selected the music they’ll play, whether it’s live or a recording, you should listen to it and approve it well before the big day. “I’ve heard stories of couples whose first dance song was the wrong version,” says Anderson, “and I think, ‘How is that possible?’ But I guess it is possible if you’re handing someone a playlist and they’re just telling you, ‘Oh, yeah, I have that.’”